I just finished watching “Portrait of a Swashbuckler” and came across a gentleman identified as Otto Reichow, one of Errol's pallbearers. I had never heard of him and wondered how close a connection he might have to Errol when he was among his friends who were pallbearers, too. So I looked aroung a bit and found that he is (or was, as he died in 2000, aged 95!) of German origin and that he played in several films with Errol. He has got quite an impressive list of movie appearances, but most uncredited. And he played with Errol in 4 films: Desperate Journey, Silver River, Mara Maru, and Istanbul! He was crying when he talked about Errol, so there must have been more than a casual acquaintance? Is anything known about him?
Here is a photo:
To Rachel: This is a bit sarcastic, but remember when you said you had only seen one picture with Errol and Johnny? Well, here's another one, read the comments posted on the website…
— Inga
Anonymous
September 8, 2011 at 6:22 pm
Here is something on Otto Reichow and what he stood for!
German actor Otto Reichow (1904-2000) launched his stage and film career in Berlin in 1928. In the early talkie era, Reichow was featured in Fritz Lang's Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1932). When Hitler came to power, Reichow and his family were consigned to the Führer's blacklist due to their outspoken opposition of Nazism. After his brother was killed by Hitler's minions, Reichow relocated to France in 1936, where he appeared in Renoir's La Grande Illusion (1937). The actor continued to express his hatred of Hitler through his brutal portrayals of Nazis in Hollywood films of the 1940s. In addition to his mainstream film work, Otto Reichow was featured in several propaganda films for the U.S. Army Air Force motion picture unit. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Anonymous
September 8, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Here are two photos of Otto Reichow one at Errol's funeral as a pallbearers and one out of a movie.
Anonymous
September 8, 2011 at 7:50 pm
Thanks, Tina, I had posted the first one, too, but via a link. Had you heard of him before? Do you know anything about his relationship to Errol? I mean, all the other pallbearers are known as his friends, but I had not heard of Otto before… Maybe it's just my ignorance?
Anonymous
September 8, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Hi Inga!
Um, where is the picture of Errol and Johnny Weissmuller you're referring to?
Anonymous
September 9, 2011 at 5:52 am
Rachel, follow the link in my post and then look at the comments that were made on the website where the picture is hosted.
Anonymous
September 9, 2011 at 11:53 am
Ah…okay…I see now. Thanks Inga.
Hmm, interesting. I didn't know Johnny Weissmuller attended Errol's funeral.
Anonymous
September 9, 2011 at 5:31 pm
As for the mix-up regarding Jack Oakie, the paper got it wrong. Oakie did have a hard time that day but not at the church where this photo was taken. He had trouble getting into the cemetery area a short time later for the grave site ceremony.
Anonymous
September 9, 2011 at 6:06 pm
Thanks, Robert. Do you know something more about if there was a close friendship or why Mr Reichow had reason to cry?
Anonymous
September 10, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Not much, though we tend to afford these people more importance than they may have actually had. We should remember that celebrities like Flynn are surrounded by many friends and acquaintances, and Reichow may simply have been one of them, with nothing more than an uneventful friendship with the star. That Reichow cried when reminiscing is not surprising, if Flynn was very dear to him. Perfectly understandable–and possibly insignificant.
Anonymous
September 10, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Thanks, I was just thinking that if someone cries over the death of a person, there must have been something deeper between them. But you are probably right.
Anonymous
September 11, 2011 at 12:30 am
Most likely he liked Errol very much and don't forget Errol was a most likable man.
Anonymous
September 11, 2011 at 12:33 am
Hi Inga;
No – not your ignorance – many of us do not know how Otto was acquainted with Errol! Patrice would know or the person who chose the pallbearers, as a pallbearer usually is a relative or a close friend.
Errol most likely had hundreds of friends – or more likely good acquaintances and we will never know who they really all were. Good to find out that Otto Reichow was one of his good acquaintances/ friend and was very grieved to lose an friend or maybe an idol – we will never know!
Anonymous
September 11, 2011 at 12:42 am
Most likely he liked Errol very much and don't forget Errol was a most likable man.